A patient developed breathlessness and chest pain, on second postoperative day after a total hip replacement. Echo-cardiography showed right ventricular dilatation and tricuspid regurgitation. What is the most likely diagnosis?
High-Yield Explanation
The clinical history corresponding to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. For a patient presenting with acute breathlessness and chest pain and in whom right ventricular dilatation with tricuspid regurgitation and mild elevation of pulmonary aery pressure is noted, a pulmonary embolus should be the initial diagnosis to be considered. Ref: Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism, Page 253, 254; Feigenbaum's Echocardiography, 7th Edition, Page 762.